World Cup Match Thread and talk (merged)

Quoted from GollyGTFC

Hagrid drop us a DM for settling our bet. Sorry for the delay I was away with work from Sunday morning.

Fair play to Scalloni. Picked the perfect system. Deschamps on the other hand should surely have anticipated Argentina overloading central midfield. The better coach won.

And a message to Brazil about how they could return to the top of the international game. Don’t just expect to turn up and beat teams without working hard.

Defending seems to have become a lost art in modern football. Possibly because so many teams invite pressure  by suicidal playing out from the back?

Overall it was a really low quality World Cup. Every team had a major flaw. Argentina’s dodgy defence overcame France’s weak midfield.in the Final. The difference? Goalkeeper. I’ve never really understood Lloris being so highly rated. When it went to penalties there was only likely to be one winner.

Lloris is a decent keeper, just woeful at penalties.

I’d agree with the argument about Brazil, I heard people say they were favourites, not sure this is true outside of Brazil. That’s a raft of teams that would’ve beaten Brazil in the knock out stages. Since 2002 they’ve jjsy turned up and assumed they win it and to be honest, they’ve looked miles off the pace…

On the whole, I’d agree, I don’t think it was as good as World Cup and they’re making out but we knew they’d do that to justify its happening. Still, good for those families who lost loved one due to poor working conditions, the World Cup was success, they did their part.

Although Argentina won it ,Croatia team of the tournament for me. With a population of 4 million punching well above their weight in world football. I put their result over Brazil above even the Saudi Arabia result against Argentina. More so as it was a knockout game. Morocco deserve special credit as well.  

Quoted from Rick12

Croatia team of the tournament for me. With a population of 4 million punching well above their weight in world football. I put their result over Brazil above even the Saudi Arabia result against Argentina. More so as it was a knockout game. Morocco deserve special credit as well.  

I wouldn't. You seem to be enthralled by a very average Brazil team based on their history. Players like Richarlison and Fred are average Premier League players and Neymar is massively over rated.

Croatia are a very good side and it was no surprise to me when they beat Brazil.

The Saudi result against the Argies was way more of a shock.

Quoted from ginnywings

I wouldn't. You seem to be enthralled by a very average Brazil team based on their history. Players like Richarlison and Fred are average Premier League players and Neymar is massively over rated.

Croatia are a very good side and it was no surprise to me when they beat Brazil.

The Saudi result against the Argies was way more of a shock.

You have a point about Brazil. I've always been a big lover of them due to their past and former players notably Pele and Ronaldinho 😉. I do feel though Richarlison and possibly even Fred are better than average though. Hence the teams they play for and the wages they command reflect that. I note as well that as does sometimes happen in world football players can look a different prospect when they play for their countrys as opposed to their clubs. I note Gary Linekar pointed this out as well  eg the passion Messi has for Argentina probably outweighs loyalties for club. Little wonder when you see the celebrations in Buenos Aires. 4 million in the capital to celebrate and people jumping on the team bus from bridges and others seriously injured and even killed in the celebrations. Things got so out of hand the team had to take a helicopter 😳.Richarlison another one as well.  Looked more effective on the whole in a Brazil shirt this world cup when you  compared it to previous form in the premiership.

Quoted from Rick12

You have a point about Brazil. I've always been a big lover of them due to their past and former players notably Pele and Ronaldinho 😉. I do feel though Richarlison and possibly even Fred are better than average though. Hence the teams they play for and the wages they command reflect that. I note as well that as does sometimes happen in world football players can look a different prospect when they play for their countrys as opposed to their clubs. I note Gary Linekar pointed this out as well  eg the passion Messi has for Argentina probably outweighs loyalties for club. Little wonder when you see the celebrations in Buenos Aires. 4 million in the capital to celebrate and people jumping on the team bus from bridges and others seriously injured and even killed in the celebrations. Things got so out of hand the team had to take a helicopter 😳.Richarlison another one as well.  Looked more effective on the whole in a Brazil shirt  compared to his club sides.  

Fred is not very good Rick.

Quoted from Hagrid

Fred is not very good Rick.

He plays for Manchester United and commands some big wages so can't be that bad Hagrid 😉 . This season annual salary was  just over 6 million.

Quoted from Rick12

He plays for Manchester United and commands some big wages so can't be that bad Hagrid 😉 . This season annual salary was  just over 6 million.

How much! With that you could not only buy a mansion in rural Cheshire, you could buy Cheshire!

Quoted from Grantham_Mariner

How much! With that you could not only buy a mansion in rural Cheshire, you could buy Cheshire!

I know . Incredible amount of money. It's supporters  that fan the flames though. Even watching Grimsby play a 4th tier side is not cheap ( £ 20 a game) if you don't have a season ticket albeit a bit cheaper.

Croatia winning a penalty shootout against Brazil cannot possibly be a bigger achievement than Saudi Arabia coming from a goal down to beat Argentina!

Quoted from Abdul19

Croatia winning a penalty shootout against Brazil cannot possibly be a bigger achievement than Saudi Arabia coming from a goal down to beat Argentina!

For me a wins a win though. I don't think penalty's all luck though. Takes grit and mental resolve and not shying away in the face of pressure. As for Croatia way their midfield at times dominated the Brazilians was impressive and the way they came back as well in extra time was laudable. Their goal had a bit of luck granted but as a team they never folded which some other teams may of done. And as others say in the game sometimes in football you create your own luck by the sheer will to win.